After fighting back from a 5-0 first inning deficit to tie the game, the Madison Mallards came up short in their first road game of the season, losing 9-6 to the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Both Madison and Green Bay stand 1-2 after three games in the 2018 season.
Tyler Plantier (Richmond) got the Mallards comeback started with a solo home run blast over the left field wall in the second inning, and Trevor Schwecke (UW-Milwaukee) brought home the second Madison run in the third on an RBI grounder. The Mallards then pulled even with a three run third inning.
Turning Point
The Mallards lead would not last long. In the decisive bottom of the fourth, the Bullfrogs scored four times to take an insurmountable 9-5 lead. The Mallards loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth after singles by David Vinsky (Northwood) and Jake Randa (NW Florida State), and a walk to Plantier, but could score only once on a long sacrifice fly by Jayse McLean (NDSU), his seventh RBI in three games.
The Mallard bullpen kept the game close, with effective work by Ryan Kutt, Jimmy Perkins, and Trace Norkus. Madison threatened again in the ninth inning with walks to Hunter Hisky and Tyler Plantier, and a single by Jake Randa, but a strikeout ended the threat and the evening for the Mallards.
Top Mallards
- Tyler Plantier reached base in all five of his plate appearances, with a home run, a single, and three walks
- Second baseman Trevor Schwecke had two RBI’s and several sparkling defensive plays at the keystone
- Relief pitcher Jimmy Perkins hurled two scoreless frames, striking out three
Next Up
The Mallards play the Bullfrogs again tomorrow night at 6:35 pm at Joannes Stadium, and then continue their road trip to Fond du Lac to play the Dock Spiders Saturday night. They return home Sunday, June 3 at 1:05 to host the Dock Spiders. Tickets for Sunday’s game are available for purchase on mallardsbaseball.com, by calling 608-246-4277, or at the Mallards Ticket Office.
